Harry Potter Goblet of Fire (year 4)
I was able to read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (year 4). I remember when i lined up to buy this book when I was a young kid. My mom took me to Barns n noble ,and we lined up at midnight! I remember reading it as soon as i got home, tired, but still pushing through.
Reading the book again now as an adult brought back nostalgic childhood memories. I was so lucky my mother took me there late at night and stood in line with me and bought the book with me.
As an adult, i can confidently say that I relate completely differently (fortunately and not surprisingly). But I can see why this book can so confidently appeal to people of all ages.
It shows the relationship issues teenage go through, which, even as an adult, we can relate to because human nature, while it may mature over the years, does not change all that much. We still, at times, do not want to be completely honest with our feelings or thoughts, which may cause a rift between us and our friends and loved ones. And that once we sit and communicate, we can realize that we still care, and if we had simply communicated more effectively, we could have overcome the argument or hurdle. This I am referring to when Harry and Ron had their 'silent' stage where neither was talking to the other, because Ron didn't believe that Harry had entered the tournament on his own. Ron has been jealous of Harry's spotlight attention (even though Harry doesn't even want or like it), and Ron felt Harry was lying about entering the tournament when he wasn't supposed to. Later one, once they finally got over this hurdle, they realized their friendship was more important than their differences, and both of them were in a happier place.
Many of Harry's actions showed immaturity, and when I was a child, I would have accepted his actions, but as an adult, I feel he was being too reckless, both for his own safety and the safety of others. It is interesting how as an adult, i view his actions quite differently than I did as a child. One action in particular is when he would sneak out late at night, using his invisibility cloak to avoid getting caught. Considering that the Dark Lord wanted to have him dead, this is a risk that in my opinion as an adult was not worth risking. Harry got lucky that he wasn't attacked, but you never know! This actually worries me if a kid reads this and agrees to it, that s/he may want to go out late at night against the rules, when s/he shouldn't do this! As a kid, i may have agreed to it, but as an adult, I definitely do not agree to it. It was good that he was scolded by Dumbledore and Sirus, teaching him that doing such acts are not in his best interest.
Overall, I feel the book is very well written, and it helps the reader really fall into the story and feel like s/he is part of the adventure. I highly recommend the book!